Summary
On November 24, 2019, The Charles Schwab Corporation announced a significant definitive agreement to merge with TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation. This strategic merger, approved by the boards of both companies, will be executed through a subsidiary merger, with TD Ameritrade surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Schwab. The transaction is structured as a stock-for-stock exchange, where TD Ameritrade shareholders will receive 1.0837 shares of Schwab common stock for each share of TD Ameritrade common stock they own. This agreement marks a pivotal moment for the financial services industry, aiming to combine two major players in the brokerage and investment space.
Key Highlights
- 1Charles Schwab Corporation (SCHW) has entered into a definitive Agreement and Plan of Merger with TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation.
- 2The merger will be an all-stock transaction where TD Ameritrade shareholders will receive 1.0837 shares of Schwab common stock per share of TD Ameritrade common stock.
- 3The transaction has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both Schwab and TD Ameritrade.
- 4Key closing conditions include approvals from both companies' stockholders, regulatory approvals (including HSR Act), and the absence of any prohibitive laws or injunctions.
- 5TD Bank, a significant shareholder in TD Ameritrade, will have specific rights and restrictions regarding its ownership of Schwab stock post-merger, including board representation and potential conversion of voting common stock to nonvoting common stock if ownership exceeds certain thresholds.
- 6The merger agreement outlines provisions for termination fees, including a $950 million fee payable by either party under specific circumstances, and expense reimbursement caps.
- 7Associated agreements, including a Stockholder Agreement, Voting and Support Agreements, and an Amended Insured Deposit Account Agreement, have been executed to govern post-merger relationships and operational aspects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Charles Schwab Corporation has entered into a definitive Agreement and Plan of Merger to acquire TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation. The transaction will be structured as a merger where TD Ameritrade will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Schwab.
TD Ameritrade shareholders will receive 1.0837 shares of Charles Schwab Corporation common stock for each share of TD Ameritrade common stock they own. This is an all-stock transaction.
The closing of the merger is subject to several conditions, including the approval of the merger by TD Ameritrade stockholders, the approval of the share issuance by Schwab stockholders, the amendment of Schwab's charter to create nonvoting common stock, obtaining necessary governmental and regulatory approvals (such as Hart-Scott-Rodino), and the absence of any legal impediments.
TD Bank, which holds a significant stake in TD Ameritrade, will receive Schwab common stock as part of the merger. The agreement includes provisions designed to ensure TD Bank does not control Schwab for regulatory purposes, potentially requiring an exchange of voting common stock for nonvoting common stock if certain ownership thresholds are exceeded. TD Bank will also have board representation rights based on its ownership level and will be subject to standstill and transfer restrictions on its Schwab shares.